A high-profile trial has the ability to captivate the nation like few other cultural events. Whether they involve celebrities, revolve around social issues or showcase a gruesome crime, these trials capture the world’s attention and interest. However, these cases can also present a number of challenges for federal courts. High-profile trials often require longer periods of jury deliberations, attract intense media coverage and may result in jurors facing threats, both physical and emotional. As such, the courts take various measures to protect the well-being of these jurors and maintain a fair trial.
One of the most famous trials in history was the O.J. Simpson case, which aired round-the-clock on television and garnered a worldwide audience of over 90 million people. The murder trial of the former NFL star and actor captured the public’s imagination with a gripping police chase and a controversial verdict.
The case of disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein is another recent high-profile trial that captivates the world’s attention. The alleged sexual assault cases against the celebrity, who denies all allegations of wrongdoing, have come at the forefront of a national reckoning with violence and sexual misconduct against women.
Lastly, the Enron scandal was one of the most notorious white-collar crimes in history. The trial, which began in 2004, exposed Kenneth Lay and Jeffery Skilling’s massive securities, accounting and wire fraud that led to the collapse of the energy giant. The duo was convicted and sentenced to prison.